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Kroos and Rodriguez are the 'real' deal

July 25, 2014 13:13 IST
Colombia's soccer player James Rodriguez, right, stands with his wife Daniela and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez

Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric has praised the high-profile signings of World Cup pair Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez and has targeted a clean sweep of domestic and European silverware next season.

Midfielder Kroos, 24, joined the La Liga side from Bayern Munich for a fee reported to be 25 million euros (19.9 million pounds) just days after playing an integral role in Germany's World Cup triumph.

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Kroos and Rodriguez are the 'real' deal

July 25, 2014 13:13 IST
A fan tries to embrace Colombia's soccer player James Rodriguez during   his presentation at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid

The Columbian Rodriguez, 23, arrived from Monaco for a fee in the region of 80 million euros having won the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer with six goals in five matches.

"I watched James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos play in the World Cup and, for me, they were two of the best players in the competition," Modric told Marca. "They're great players and will only improve our team even more.

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Kroos and Rodriguez are the 'real' deal

July 25, 2014 13:13 IST
Midfielder Toni Kroos of Germany poses holding his new Real Madrid shirt

"Real Madrid have shown their ambition by bringing such fantastic signings to the club. It's great news for us, the players, because we always want to play with the best, and also for the supporters, who want to see the best players."

Los Blancos won the Champions League and King's Cup last season and Modric believes their stellar squad is capable of doing even better in the upcoming campaign.

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Kroos and Rodriguez are the 'real' deal

July 25, 2014 13:13 IST
New Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos of Germany controls the   ball during his presentation at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid

"Every competition and every trophy is important at Real Madrid," the 28-year-old added. "It would be marvellous to be able to win all six (available trophies), but it will be very, very tough. We'll face some very good teams on the way.

"The pressure will be the same as it always is at Real Madrid. There won't be as much as there was for La Decima (their 10th European title), which was enormous.

"Now it'll be the logical pressure involved with being Real Madrid, because of the club's history and the fact that we're the current champions. It'll be easier after having won La Decima. I think it's our time."

Source: REUTERS
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